Solar Case Studies
Real solar installations from homes and businesses around Sunderland. See the systems we designed, the challenges we solved and the savings our customers now enjoy.
Nothing demonstrates the value of solar better than real installations on real Wearside properties. The case studies below show a cross-section of the work we do across Sunderland — from discreet systems on coastal Victorian terraces to larger arrays with battery storage on family homes and rural properties.
Each project began the same way: a free survey, an honest conversation about goals and budget, and a system designed specifically for that building and household. The results speak for themselves, with every customer now generating their own clean electricity and seeing the difference on their bills. As you read through, you will notice the common threads — careful design, quality equipment, tidy workmanship and clear communication from start to finish.
4.2kW Solar & 5kWh Battery — Victorian Terrace, Roker
A coastal terraced home near the sea front wanted to cut soaring bills without altering the look of the roof.
The owners of this handsome Victorian terrace just a few streets from Roker beach approached us after two consecutive winters of rising energy bills. Their main concerns were the limited, salt-exposed roof and keeping the appearance of the property sympathetic to the conservation-style street.
We designed an eleven-panel, 4.2kW array using all-black panels for a discreet finish, fixed with marine-grade stainless steel clamps to withstand the coastal environment. A hybrid inverter and a 5kWh battery were installed in the cellar, allowing the household to store midday generation for use during the evening peak.
In the first twelve months the system generated close to the predicted 3,700kWh, and with the battery in place the family used 78% of that themselves. Their grid electricity consumption fell by 68%, and the salt-aware maintenance plan we set up keeps the panels performing through the coastal weather.
6.4kW Commercial Rooftop — Industrial Unit, Pallion
A light-engineering business with heavy daytime demand wanted to offset its rising peak-rate electricity costs.
This Pallion engineering firm runs CNC machinery, compressors and extraction throughout the working day, producing exactly the kind of steady daytime load that suits solar. With energy now one of their biggest overheads, the directors wanted a system that would pay back quickly.
We installed a 6.4kW array across the unit's south-facing roof, connected through a three-phase inverter to match the building's supply. Because virtually all of the generation is consumed on site during working hours, self-consumption sits above 90%.
The system now saves the business around £2,400 a year against current tariffs, with a projected payback inside seven years and a quarter-century of generation ahead. The directors are already considering a battery to capture early-morning and weekend surplus.
Solar, Battery & EV Charger — New Build, Doxford Park
A young family with an electric car wanted a complete, future-proof home energy system.
Moving into a new-build home with two electric vehicles on the way, this Doxford Park family wanted to do the job once and do it properly: solar, storage and smart charging working as a single system.
We fitted a 5kW solar array, a 10kWh battery and a solar-aware 7kW EV charger configured to top up the car from surplus generation first. A smart tariff fills the battery overnight on cheap-rate electricity for the darker months.
Through the summer the household is very nearly self-sufficient, charging the car largely from sunshine, and even in winter the overnight-charged battery covers most of the evening demand. Their combined household and motoring energy costs have fallen dramatically.
Agricultural Array — Farm Steading near Bournmoor
A working farm wanted to cut the cost of pumping, lighting and workshop power and add an export income.
This family farm on the western edge of the city carries the typical agricultural load of water pumping, lighting, refrigeration and workshop equipment, all of which had become significantly more expensive.
The large, unshaded south-facing barn roof was an ideal platform for a 20kW array. We designed the system to cover the farm's daytime base load in full, with surplus exported under the Smart Export Guarantee to generate an additional income.
On bright days the farm now runs entirely on its own generation through working hours, and the export payments provide a welcome second revenue line. The robust steel roof and inland location make for a low-maintenance, long-life installation.
Solar for a Community Club — Clubhouse near Houghton-le-Spring
A community sports club needed to bring down the cost of running floodlights and clubhouse facilities.
Like many community clubs, this Houghton venue was struggling with the energy cost of evening floodlights, clubhouse heating and a busy social bar. Rising bills were eating into funds that should have gone to the teams.
We installed an 8kW array on the clubhouse roof paired with a 10kWh battery, so that daytime generation could be banked and released to power evening training, fixtures and the bar.
The club has seen a dramatic fall in its grid electricity costs, freeing money for equipment and facilities, and the visible solar installation has become a point of pride that underlines its commitment to the community and the environment.
Inverter Repair & System Rescue — Hetton-le-Hole
A homeowner left without aftercare when their installer ceased trading had a system that had stopped generating.
This Hetton household's solar panels had stopped producing power, and the company that originally fitted them had gone out of business, leaving the owners with no support and a competitor recommending a costly full replacement.
Our diagnostic visit quickly identified a failed inverter — the panels and wiring were sound. Rather than replace the whole system, we fitted a modern hybrid inverter, restoring full generation and making the installation ready for a future battery.
The repair cost a fraction of the replacement quote the owners had been given, full performance was restored the same day, and they now have a clear upgrade path to storage whenever they choose. Another system rescued rather than scrapped.
Could your home or business be next?
Every property is different, but the process is always the same: we listen to what you want to achieve, survey your roof, and design a system that delivers the best possible return for your circumstances. Whether you are chasing lower bills, energy independence, a smaller carbon footprint or all three, we will show you exactly what is achievable with clear, honest figures and no pressure.
If any of these projects sound like your situation, we would be glad to talk it through. Browse our customer reviews to hear directly from people across Sunderland, then get in touch for your own free, no-obligation survey and quotation.
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